Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure children and young people can access (a) dance, (b) sport, (c) gymnastics and (d) cheer as part of the curriculum.

The government is committed to ensuring all children and young people benefit from a high-quality PE curriculum. PE is compulsory at all four key stages, with schools able to choose the activities they use to deliver the curriculum. Dance is a specified element of the national curriculum, with programme of study content set out through to key stage 3.

The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review recommended greater clarity and specificity in areas such as dance. The government accepted these recommendations and is revising the PE national curriculum, while maintaining schools’ flexibility in delivery. The revised curriculum will be consulted on publicly and is intended for first teaching from September 2028.

Schools will be supported to deliver high-quality dance provision through the National Centre for Arts and Music. Supporting pupils to access PE, sport and physical activity opportunities such as gymnastics and cheer will also form part of the new PE and School Sport Partnerships.